A Knight's Lilies

“When the demons of the First Dark Tide overran the Praemoni Empire, society as we know it began to crumble one by one. Bitter struggle tore through our peoples as our bulwarks crumbled in the face of their onslaught. It is only with the emergence of The Saints, that civilisation could continue to prosper. For their sacrifices we honor them today on Saints Day to ensure they know we have not forgotten them.” - Sermon of Bishop Merin Stout at Tynsford, Church Records: ‘Celebrating The Saints’ by Lector Ashleigh Stout (No Familial Relation)

Rock and brick collapsed around them as another boulder smashed into the church sending debris everywhere and people scattering to hide under the pews. Magnificent stained glass windows shattered from the impact as a volley of arrows pierced through the heavens and into the town, a few through the now broken windows and plinking off the marble floors.

“Mighty Astralis, preserve your people in our hour of need, forgive our sins and save our souls.”

Karelia listened to the old priest’s prayers and clutched her younger siblings closer to herself, clenching her teeth and barely holding back frightened screams to keep them calm. Looking around she could see other families huddled together as well, their small forms dotting throughout the church, a few hunched over the injured or the dead, the rest cowering with fear as the sounds of combat grew closer.

The morning started as any other Saints Day festival would, joyous rounds of merrymaking and dance filled every square and tavern. Merchants and vendors hawking their wares as countless throngs of villagers from all the outlying regions gathered in town to celebrate the once a year occasion. It was only during the mid afternoon prayer services that something looked wrong to Karelia, the sky grew dimmer than usual, a dull red overtaking the normally clear weather. Then, the city watch rang the bells of war, and her parents ordered her to keep her siblings inside whilst they rushed to ask the gate guard about what was happening. They hadn’t returned yet, likely conscripted by the guard.

“Preserver of the heavens and defender of free, your flock calls for aid as the dreaded foe emerges once more, send us your champions, your blessings, and your strength.”

Father Gowan had always been a bit of an outsider to their town, not only did he look and speak differently, but he had always maintained the air of an outsider around him despite his attempts to understand the people. To Karelia he had been an oddity, his aloofness and standoffish behaviour had always irritated her during his sermons, but now, his calm and collected demeanour bound together what little order there was remaining inside the church.

A sharp scream right outside the church drew Karelia’s attention to the door as her siblings began crying softly. Sounds of steel and shot rang out loud as nervous mutterings began filling the church. Small scratching noises then followed as a few shaken families began pushing the pews around the door, creating a small ring of wooden benches around the entryway, inspiring a few others to do the same.

“Shh, shh, it’ll be okay Miro, Mila, it’ll be okay, mama and papa will be back soon.” Karelia whispered unconvincingly. Miroslav and Lyudmila for their part tried their best to hold back their tears but to no avail and Karelia could only keep them around her as she trained her eyes back on the priest.

“Divine protectors heed our words and send your angels to deliver us from this evil. Send forth the Saints and bring to us salvation from the oncoming tide. Let the flames of the dark be extinguished by the light of the stars eternal.”

A ground shaking rumble shook the church as more siege projectiles landed nearby, the sound of a house crumpling into ruin caused a few more panicked wails to break out inside the church. Loud roars followed battlecries as another clash broke out nearby, the haggard screaming of defiant resistance still lending out a faint glimmer of hope to the frightened masses inside. Karelia knew the enemy was close, the whining of beasts echoed faintly from the outside but she recognised the noise, the hunt was coming to a close and she couldn’t help but let out a whimper.

“Big sis…” Mila whispered between her tears.

“Y-yeah?” Karelia replied, trying to steady her voice.

“Why did mama and papa go outside?”

“B-because…because they are soldiers, and they will…fight to protect us, see? That is why it will be safe when they come back.”

Karelia was certain she was trying to convince herself more than anything but hope still did remain, their parents were veterans of two wars and surviving conflict is something they did better than anyone else. However, her own worried breaths stilled when she realised Miro had stopped crying and adopted a glum face.

“What’s…wrong?”

“They never coming back, they’re dead now aren’t they sis? And we’re dead too.”

“Don’t say that they aren’t…”

“You know they are, and those noises are…”

“Of course the fighting’s intense, but they will keep us safe okay? And if they can’t then I will!”

“You don’t even know how to fight…”

“Enough, we can save this for later.”

“But there…woah!”

“Get down!”

“Mama! Wah!”

A sudden crash came from the other side of the church as part of the roof exploded inwards from a stray projectile. Shrapnel and splinters covering the survivors in a downpour of wood and stone. Shocked onlookers quickly rushed over to search through the rubble when another projectile blew away part of the upper wall.

There’s going to be nothing left, our house, our town, everything…it’s all going to be gone. Oh by the Goddess what about everyone else, is there anyone alive? We’re going to die aren’t we? I don’t want to die, I don’t want to die here. Dear Astralis, please save me, I don’t want to die, please. I didn’t even get to kiss Vezzi goodbye, is he even alive? I want to see him again, Goddess help us. How could Saint’s Day turn out like this?!

“...sis…sis!”

“Uhm huh?!” Karelia jolted back as her siblings panicked voices startled her back out of her thoughts.

“Sis!” her brother sighed in relief, “Your eyes, you blanked out right there, we...thought…”

“We thought big sis was not okay.” Mila gingerly finished, tear streaks still fresh on her face.

“Ahh…heh…you’re both such good kids. Big sis is fine! See!”

Flashing them a strained smile she ruffled both their heads as she drew them in closer. That’s right, I have to be strong, for them. But I don’t want to die, oh gods. Not like this. Holding back her emotions she steadied herself only to freeze when she heard knocking on the church door. As one, almost all commotion and murmuring died down as the noise echoed clearly in spite of the warzone outside.

Holding their breaths, everyone eyed the door nervously as Father Gowan walked calmly towards the door, climbing over their makeshift barricade. Opening the grand doors ever so slightly, a bloodied man fell through before Father Gowan quickly shut them again.

“They…they’re here, the darkness, oh gods…father…save…”

“I…I’m sure the Gods look upon you favorably for your sacrifice. Blessed be your soul.”

The sight of the bloodied guard sent shockwaves through the survivors, their fear and panic reaching a crescendo as the sounds of violence outside grew quieter.

“Miro, Mila, follow me.” Karelia ordered.

“Sis?” Her siblings questioned.

“Now.”

Grabbing the two of them she dragged them towards a church supply cabinet and began throwing out whatever was inside, much to the horror of Father Gowan and nearby survivors. Despite the grumbling behind her she ripped out the shelves before trying to tip it over.

“And what might you be doing my child?” Father Gowan’s calm voice rang out behind her.

“These two, I need to hide them,” Karelia stated.

“Sis?”

“Sis no!”

“That’s alright my child, I understand, here, hold that end and pull.”

Pausing for only a moment she registered the Father’s words and pulled, sending the cabinet tumbling down with a vicious thud. As the other survivors watched or began emulating her plan the two of them lifted it slightly before Karelia turned towards her siblings, a look of sternness on her face.

“Crawl under, now.”

“Huh? But sis!”

“What about you?”

“No more questions, get in!”

“Big sis, it won't fit us all!”

“In!” Karelia yelled as she threw Mila forcefully in. “Miroslav, now.”

“Sis I can fight too…” Miro protested, but Karelia could see his hands trembling.

“Now.”

“But mama and papa…”

“You said they were dead so no arguing, let's go.”

“But…”

Reluctantly, her brother let her drag him towards the rubble when a stray siege projectile smashed into the church, sending them both tumbling to the ground.

“Miro…” Karelia coughed.

“...fine…” He replied with a pained rasp.

A sudden crash cut out whatever her brother tried to say as the church doors suddenly flung open and everyone collectively felt the despair wash over them.

“Then this is the end, Goddess preserve our soul, and may the stars guide our way.” Father Gowan mumbled.

“Mercy!”

“Please save us.”

“We’re innocent!”

“This is a church!”

Armoured figures stood menacingly under the arched doorway, their blackened armour splattered with the viscera of their crimes covering the strange sigils and heretical symbols that adorned their bodies. Winged helmets hid the cold and calculating eyes as the figures dispassionately readied their weapons, shields adorned with dark talismans raised, their intentions clear for all to see.

“Let me live, let us go, she’s just a child!”

“Oh Gods.”

“It's under the cellar the money is under my cellar.”

Karelia watched as the panic unfurled before her eyes, survivors clambering over each other in a desperate attempt to escape or grovel for mercy. A clanking of steel drew Karelia’s gaze back to the invaders and she watched in horror as they silently cleared a path from the doorway, opening the way for a legion of horrors.

Grotesque creatures with a multitude of limbs protruding from unnatural angles burst into the church. Some with extra legs or arms as if an amalgamation of more than one existence was merged into a singular body. Two headed monstrosities with elongated appendages gurgled with vicious laughter as they joined in on the slaughter.

Those closest to the door suffered the most merciful death as they were cut down in an instant. The rest began screaming or running further into the church as the monsters followed them with a hunger in their malformed eyes, devouring the dead or hunting the living. Father Gowan simply bowed his head before pulling a short sword from beneath his frock and charging into the oncoming horde, the blade glowing with divine magic as he chanted.

“Astralis grant me strength! Banish the disbelievers! Protect my flock!” Father Gowan roared.

He smashed through two creatures in an instant. Karelia’s awe with the priest only lasted for a moment before a vicious swipe by one of the monstrosities nearly pierced her abdomen, forcing her to quickly duck out of the way. Grabbing a wooden plank, she launched it at the monster like a lance flying true, only to see it casually swat the plank aside. Advancing slowly as if savouring a meal, it suddenly stopped, a wooden stake puncturing its chest from behind.

Karelia felt herself go pale as she watched her brother struggle to push the stake through. She wanted to tell him one more was behind him, to run, to duck, but words could not escape her mouth and she could only watch as the second monster ravaged Miro, tearing the boy in two as he was viciously thrown aside...

I’m sorry, oh gods, I’m sorry, I’ll see you soon. With mute horror, Karelia ran forward and grabbed the stake inside the first monster, forcefully pulling out the wooden weapon and causing the creature to cry out in pain. Its horrifying wail was the distraction she needed as she dashed over her brother and the other creature. The door, I can get out through the door. Ducking and dodging a few other monsters, she barely reached the entrance when Father Gowan’s body slumped to the ground. An armoured figure stood over him pulling out its sword, a blade of pure black material dotted with flecks of white and now crimson as it began chanting some unknown incantation.

Charging forward with reckless abandon she managed to throw herself past other surprised figures and jabbed the stake upwards. Between the plates, through the neck, just like mama and papa showed us. Illuminated by foul magicks, the blue glow highlighted the red blood as it trickled down the stake. A sudden sharp pain pulsed through her scalp as she felt an armoured gauntlet smash into her face before lifting her up by her hair, only mortal after all, I did it, hah, I stabbed it. Sorry Mila, big sis is leaving you behind as well. Karelia barely caught a glimpse of the rubble Mila should've hidden behind when the creature crushed her head against the wall.